THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines Los Baños inked a partnership with non-profit organization CleanTech Foundation, Inc. to kickstart a project for the conservation of threatened Philippine tree species at the UP Laguna-Quezon Land Grant.

The project was made together with Energy Development Corporation and will establish an arboretum of Threatened Tree Species, envisioned to hold collected tree species rescued by the EDC.

The memorandum of agreement signed by all representatives, formalizes arrangements regarding the location of the arboretum in the LQLG, the installation of an entrance marker, a path walk leading to different clusters of tree species, and signages containing information about the trees, and the seedlings to be planted.

Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. said the arboretum will aid future biodiversity and conservation research as a study site for both students and researchers, as well as a field destination for high school students.

“Together, we can bring back the trees our forefathers knew so future generations can see and appreciate them as well,” he said.

Dr. Pastor Malabrigo, Jr., director of the LQLG, recognized the MOA signing as a big step toward their vision for the Land Grant to become a prime nature tourism destination.